With a strong tradition of worship and faith formation, St. Bartholomew Catholic Faith Community in Wayzata, Minn., is the first parish in Minnesota (the home of The Saint John’s Bible) to receive a fine art edition of the Bible.

St. Bartholomew welcomed four volumes – Wisdom Books, Psalms, Prophets and Pentateuch – at the Oct. 30-31 weekend masses. The Heritage Edition’s arrival was also celebrated at an ecumenical service on Nov. 9. St. Bartholomew plans to use the volumes in educational programming, days of reflection and other opportunities for prayer. “This is not intended to be a precious artifact locked up and admired from afar,” said Father Michael Reding, pastor of St. Bartholomew. “It’s our hope that The Saint John’s Bible will be used regularly by the St. Bart’s community and other people of faith from throughout the Twin Cities area,” he concluded.

Parishioners John and Nancy Berg donated the Heritage Edition to St. Bartholomew to share with the entire faith community. "St. Thomas Aquinas asked God to 'make me know what I ought to do and do it in the way I should,'" said Nancy Berg. "The Saint John's Bible takes the words St. Thomas followed and adds modern illustrated interpretations to them, showing us God's word is relevant to all ages. What a wonderful teaching tool for all," she said. The Saint John's Bible is already familiar to St. Bartholomew. Early in the creation of the original artwork of The Saint John's Bible, the church sponsored a page from the Gospels and Acts volume, the Call of the Disciples.

Hundreds gathered to get an up-close look at The Saint John’s Bible, Heritage Edition as it was welcomed into the St. Bartholomew Parish on Oct. 31.

Donors John and Nancy Berg (holding Wisdom Books volume) and family helped celebrate The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition, along with Jim Triggs, executive director, The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program, Fr. Michael Patella, OSB, associate dean and rector of Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary, and a member of The Saint John's Bible Committee on Illumination and Text, and Fr. Michael Reding, St. Bartholomew’s pastor, at the welcoming Mass on Oct. 31, 2010.

Fr. Michael Reding, pastor of St. Bartholomew Catholic Faith Community, places one of the volumes at the ambo during the Oct. 31 Welcoming Mass.

Area clergy and community leaders participated in the Nov. 9 ecumenical service. From left to right: Rev. John Ross of Wayzata Community Church, Fr. Michael Reding of St. Bartholomew Catholic Faith Community in Wayzata, Rev. Steve Richards of Messiah United Methodist Church in Plymouth, Rev. Valerie Strand Patterson, Saint Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth and LaDonna Hoy, executive director of Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners.